1854-O Three Dollar Gold $3 NGC AU53. First year of this denomination, struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1854. This was not only the first year that the Mint in Louisiana struck this unusual denomination, but also the only year. Despite a relatively small mintage of 24,000 pieces examples are generally available, but because of its status as a one-year only coin it remains a popular issue with collectors of gold and New Orleans coins. Despite the overall lack of use of this denomination most examples are well circulated, and examples in About Uncirculated condition, such as presently offered, are scarce. Uncirculated examples are rarities, and only a very limited number have graded at that level by the major grading services.

Both the Dahlonega and New Orleans Mint struck this denomination only in 1854, the year it was introduced. The 1854-D $3 gold piece is a prime rarity with a miniscule mintage of 1,200 pieces, making the 1854-O $3 gold piece the only mintmarked issue of the first year of this denomination that is available with some searching. The San Francisco also struck this denomination for a number of years, most of which are relatively affordable in lower grades but become very rare in at the higher graded levels. Obviously, the most difficult issue is the unique 1870-S, the prime rarity of this denomination and at present in the Harry W. Bass research foundation.

This coin, a lightly circulated example of this date with luster remaining in the protected areas, appears to be lightly struck in the centers of the reverse. However, unlike other gold issues from the New Orleans Mint, this is not the case. One of the characteristics of this issue is the lightly punched lettering in the reverse die, visible on this coin as well. Another prominent feature is a die-crack through the mintmark, visible on virtually every example encountered. On the present specimen, it is in an early state, indicating that this coin was one of the earlier coins that was struck. The fields are relatively mark-free, with some minor marks from the short period this coin spent in circulation. Orange-yellow coloration compliments this coin, which would be a great addition for a specialized set of New Orleans gold coinage or $3 gold pieces.